Lead Technical Architect – Cisco SD-WAN & UK Gov Clearance

Appvia; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Bonus

Shares

Benefits package

Job summary

Appvia is seeking a Lead Technical Architect to provide technical leadership on a major Cisco SD-WAN and network transition programme within the UK public sector. You will shape architecture strategy, translate complex requirements into practical network solutions, and present designs to governance boards.

You will mentor other architects, coordinate with cross-government teams and third-party suppliers, and ensure secure, reliable, and scalable outcomes across enterprise networks while aligning

Qualifications

• CCNP certification or equivalent networking knowledge.
• Experience with Cisco SD-WAN and BGP.
• A proven track record leading complex technical architectures.
• Experience coordinating with third-party suppliers and cross-government teams.
• Aptitude for anticipating future technologies and aligning solutions with broader strategy.
• Expertise delivering secure, reliable, and scalable systems within defined time/quality constraints.
• Experience producing and reviewing architecture documentation and Secure by Design principles.
• Confidence operating within Design Authority and Security Board governance.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring architects or senior technical professionals.
• Experience working in regulated, enterprise, or public sector environments.
• Active UK SC clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical architecture decisions across complex customer environments, championing innovation and best practice.
• Support the definition and maintenance of enterprise-wide technical strategies, roadmaps, and architectures.
• Oversee design reviews, incorporating Secure by Design principles and compliance with architectural governance.
• Coordinate with cross-government teams and third-party suppliers to ensure cohesive, integrated solutions.
• Directly support the development of presentation packs for Technical Design Authority and Security Board governance, deputising for the Principal Technical Architect where required.
• Drive digital innovation by evaluating emerging technologies and championing continuous improvement.
• Mentor and coach other architects, fostering a culture of collaboration and technical excellence.
• Facilitate the design and delivery of complex systems, ensuring performance, reliability, and security requirements are met.
• Lead multiple projects, collaborating with stakeholders to address risks, budgets, and timelines.
• Evaluate outcomes and integrate lessons learned into future strategies.
• Provide architectural leadership across routing, connectivity, segmentation, security, and resilience.
• Work closely with network engineers, platform engineers, security teams, service management, and customer architects.
• Act as a trusted technical advisor to senior customer stakeholders.

Skills

CCNP

Cisco SD-WAN

BGP

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Architecture governance

Secure by Design

Design Authority

Job description

Appvia is seeking a Lead Technical Architect to provide technical leadership on a major Cisco SD-WAN and network transition programme within the UK public sector. You will shape architecture strategy, translate complex requirements into practical network solutions, and present designs to governance boards.

You will mentor other architects, coordinate with cross-government teams and third-party suppliers, and ensure secure, reliable, and scalable outcomes across enterprise networks while aligning